( ^75 ) 



XIX. — Report on the Cultivation of Potatoes, with special reference 

 to the Potato-disease. By H. M. Jenkins, f.g.s., Secretary of 

 the Society. 



The remarkable virulence of the potato-disease in 1872 caused 

 renewed attention to be directed to the phenomena which are 

 known to accompany its appearance, year by year ; and it induced 

 many inquirers again to propound their views as to its cause, 

 and the best means to be adopted with a view to its more or less 

 complete prevention. 



It will be in the recollection of Members of the Society that, 

 under these circumstances, Earl Cathcart, being then the Presi- 

 dent, offered a prize of 100/. for the best essay on the potato- 

 disease and its prevention. Although 94 essays competed for 

 this prize, the Judges appointed by the Council felt bound to 

 withhold it ; but, at the same time, they suggested that the 

 Council should undertake the complete investigation of the 

 subject, from a scientific as well as a practical point of view. 

 Lord Cathcart at once placed the amount of the prize which he 

 had offered at the disposal of the Council, for the purposes of the 

 proposed investigation. A Special Committee was thereupon 

 appointed by the Council, to consider and report upon the 

 recommendations of the Judges. The results, as already re- 

 ported to the Members,* are (1) that Professor de Bary, of 

 Strasbourg, is at present resuming his studies of the natural 

 history of the potato-fungus at the request of the Council ; 

 (2) that potatoes sent in to compete for prizes, for varieties 

 that will resist disease for three years in succession, are 

 being grown in 20 different districts of the United Kingdom ; 

 and (3) that the following schedule of questions relating to 

 the cultivation of the potato, and to the influence of different 

 methods of cultivation on the potato-disease, has been sent to 

 a large number of experienced potato-growers in the United 

 Kingdom : — 



Questions on the Cultivation of the Potato, with special reference to 

 the Potato-disease. 



1. Is the country open or wooded ? 



2. Is there much hedge-row or other timber on the land ? 



3. Is the land on which you have grown potatoes level or sloping, and 

 what is its aspect ? 



4. What is the nature of the soil and subsoil ? 



5. Is the land drained ; and, if so, at what depth and distance? 



* Vide Report of the Coimcil to the General Meeting ou May 22nd, 1874, 

 infra, pp. xxxix. et seq. 



